Suisun girl's death still under investigation

Fairfield authorities on Monday were keeping their cards close to their vest as they continue to investigate the murder of a 13-year-old Suisun City girl who didn't return home from school Friday.

The victim, who police are still not identifying and have gone so far as to make it part of a "protected record" at the Solano County Coroner's Office, was reported missing by her guardian at a foster home in Suisun City around 5:44 p.m. Thursday, officials said.

Authorities began searching for her and continued up until midnight when the trail finally grew cold, said Suisun City police Cmdr. Tim Mattos. As they resumed their search around 6:45 a.m. Friday, a Fairfield police officer near Alan Witt Park, 1714 West Texas St., was flagged down by a citizen who spotted what they believed may have been a dead body.

Following the citizen's indication, the officer discovered the girl's naked body in the park's parking lot, police said.

Police continued their investigation over the weekend and were on the streets early Sunday canvassing the neighborhood near the park where the victim's body was found, a police spokesman said.

Officers interviewed neighbors as they tried to track down leads in the search for the girl's killer, while investigators asked for the public's help with any information that might help them determine her whereabouts between the time of her disappearance and when she was found dead, said Officer Cleo Mayoral, a department spokesman.

"If anybody knew anything, or saw anything, we are asking them to give us a call," Mayoral said.

Mattos told a Fairfield publication that the victim's guardian last saw her board a school bus. He said she was in class all day and was expected home around 4 p.m.

He called the discovery of the dead child "a shock to our system."

Sacramento television station CBS13 reported the girl attended Green Valley Middle School, which is about eight miles from the park.

School Principal Gregg Hubbs declined to comment on the girl's death.

A call by The Reporter to the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District office for more information was not immediately returned.

Officer Kathryn McCormick said Monday that police were not releasing any additional information regarding the case, but that an update "will be forthcoming shortly," though she did not have an exact time frame.

Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call the Fairfield Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 428-7600, the 24-hour tip line at 428-7345 or Solano Crime Stoppers at 644-7867, which gives callers the option of remaining anonymous.